Soybeans
How important is supplemental water for soybeans?
The effect of irrigation on soybean yields can vary season to season because of weather conditions, soil type, and overall management practices. Research shows timely irrigations can increase soybean yields significantly and will help stabilize yields by reducing year-to-year variation.
Total seasonal water needs can be as high as 20 to 25 inches, depending on planting date and maturity. Generally, you can expect the soybean crop to use about 0.2 to 0.25 of an inch of water per acre per day during peak demand. Given total seasonal use, supplemental water is needed every year for top yields.
